Following the stages of change addiction, the termination stage is the final point where the person adjusts to abstinence and can control themselves even when there are addiction triggers present. This stage demonstrates a complete recovery where the substance no longer has control over the individual. The contemplation stage of change is usually the next highest category, where behaviors are tilted towards an interest in change. In the contemplation stage, people realize that their habits or addictions may be creating an air of difficulty for them and also their family and loved ones. This stage comes with considerations on the possibility of finding a solution to the addiction problem.
You may choose a 28- or 30-day, 60-day or 90-day inpatient drug rehab stay or an outpatient rehab program, and you might like to opt for specialized treatment options. The final stage of addiction recovery involves maintenance and aftercare. This stage focuses on sustaining the progress made during treatment and preventing relapse. Building a strong support system is crucial during this stage, as it provides ongoing guidance, accountability, and encouragement.
How to Build a Healthy Support System After Treatment
Addiction Resource does not favor or support any specific recovery center, nor do we claim to ensure the quality, validity, or effectiveness of any particular treatment center. No one should assume the information provided on Addiction Resource as authoritative and should always defer to the advice and care provided by a medical doctor. The preparation stage of change in addiction recovery marks the point at which the addict fully identifies that they have a problem with their addiction and sets out to make a positive change. In this stage, they mentally prepare for any support or substance abuse treatment that they intend to get. The openness to new ideas does not necessarily translate to proactivity. This phase is merely a learning phase, with the possibility of commitment in the future.
These programs support continued progress after intensive treatment ends. With dual diagnosis treatment and well-rounded strategies, effective help and lasting recovery are achievable. The recovery process from drug or alcohol addiction often involves a person making a significant change(s) to improve their quality of life, including overall health and wellness. It can also help teach people to feel empowered in their lives and reach their full potential. Aftercare helps you stay on track and keep practicing what you learned while in rehab. During the maintenance stage, the individual is working hard to prevent addiction recovery relapse.
How to Help Your Teen Develop Healthy Coping Mechanisms
- Including family members in sessions helps leverage the patient’s support system, making recovery a collective effort.
- In most cases, the journey to recovery starts by being open to change.
- Our team works with our clients 8-hours per day, not weekly or monthly as most other addiction treatment providers do.
- Regardless of whether considering opioids or alcoholic recovery stages, they are identical.
- The brain changes that occur as a result of addiction make it difficult for individuals to quit using substances or engaging in addictive behaviors.
- Substance use may become a habit used to manage emotions or stress, often called self-medicating.
This approach supports individuals in maintaining sobriety while they focus on other aspects of recovery. Pre-contemplation is marked by an unwillingness to acknowledge addiction as a real problem. People in this stage often do not recognize the consequences of their addictive behavior, such as harm to relationships, mental health, or work.
How Inpatient and Outpatient Rehab Programs Compare for Addiction Recovery
- Dr. Hoffman is the Co-Founder and Chief Medical Officer of AddictionHelp.com and ensures the website’s medical content and messaging quality.
- Peer support, where individuals share their experiences and offer mutual encouragement, is a key component of group support.
- The journey to recovery is highly individualized, with diverse paths tailored to unique circumstances.
- “I started to experiment with other substances, whether it would be ecstasy.
- It often starts with experimentation out of curiosity or social influence, such as peer pressure.
It is essential to undergo detoxification under medical supervision to ensure safety and minimize discomfort. The duration and intensity of withdrawal symptoms vary depending on the substance(s) involved and individual factors. A professional treatment center can provide the necessary support and resources to help individuals navigate this challenging stage. Each stage plays a critical role in the recovery process, from recognizing the need for change in the early stages to maintaining a healthy, sober lifestyle in the later stages. During this phase, individuals work to strengthen healthy coping mechanisms, build lasting support networks, and address lingering challenges such as past traumas or mental health conditions.
Stages of Change in the Addiction Recovery Process
Multiple unsuccessful treatment attempts and failure to create a working relapse prevention plan can greatly contribute to the extension of the precontemplation stage. Information from studies can provide explanations about the reasons why some individuals can go through these stages on their own. Some others, unfortunately, are incapable of quitting substance abuse without extensive measures of staging an intervention. It’s a chance to understand triggers, improve coping skills, and strengthen the dedication to sobriety. It’s when the body clears itself of drugs and deals with withdrawal symptoms. It’s often the first treatment step, paving the way https://www.inkl.com/news/sober-house-rules-a-comprehensive-overview for recovery efforts.
The process of getting over dependency has been mapped out in the transtheoretical model. This model helps us understand the journey’s complex nature and the need for a personal timeline in treatment12. Making it through each stage, from not considering change to doing something about it, and then keeping up the good work, marks hope and a roadmap for recovery. Knowing that moving through these phases isn’t straightforward helps us see each person’s unique journey2. It starts in a dark forest of denial and moves through to understanding, then to action, and finally, a long period of keeping steady.
What are the 6 stages of addiction recovery? #
It can feel stressful to change, which is why the support a person receives in drug and alcohol treatment can be so important in continuing the process of addiction recovery. Reaching the fourth stage of addiction recovery marks a significant milestone in the journey towards lasting sobriety. Stage 4, also known as maintenance and aftercare, focuses on equipping individuals with the tools and support necessary to maintain their recovery progress and prevent relapse.
In some cases, addicts may be even involuntarily committed to rehabs or mental hospitals to prevent further self-harm or dangerous behavior. Through group and individual counseling, recreational therapy and other means, individuals develop new, healthier coping mechanisms and practice putting them into action. They may also learn holistic health skills, including diet and exercise, stress reduction techniques and even communication skills to help them live a sober, positive lifestyle in the future. Many people with addiction issues also battle mental health sober house conditions. It’s crucial to address both substance use and mental health for a full, lasting recovery.
When should someone seek help for addiction?
We may be paid a fee for marketing or advertising by organizations that can assist with treating people with substance use disorders. For those who are dealing with addiction to any substance, there is no better time to contact a professional help program than now. However, with the right treatment and care, with contact from professionals, one can attain complete freedom from alcohol, drugs, and any other forms of addiction. A sixth phase, “termination” or “relapse” was later added in the stages of recovery to refine the model further.